Recap

AtoZ Athleta secured their first victory of the BOV Division One season in dominant fashion, overwhelming Tigers BT. After losing their first four games, Athleta showcased their offensive prowess and defensive discipline in this one-sided encounter.

Athleta started the game on fire, racing to a 10-0 lead within five minutes, with Maxwell Amoato and Kurt James dominating the paint. The Tigers, now without American import player Matthew Brown who departed the club earlier last week, struggled to break through Athleta’s defence, with Keith Micaller finally opening their account with a layup five minutes into the game. However, Athleta responded swiftly, with Caleb Matthews and Juan Garcia Cefai hitting key shots. By the end of the first quarter, Athleta held a commanding 28-8 advantage, with Matthews contributing 11 points.

The second quarter saw Athleta extend their lead further. James and Amoato continued to punish Tigers BT on fast breaks, while Luca Borg and Matthews connected from beyond the arc. Serge Hamparsoumian provided some resistance for the Tigers, scoring regularly from the line and in the paint, but Athleta’s relentless pace was too much to handle. James closed the quarter with a flurry of points, including a fast-break layup and a free throw, bringing his total to 20 points by halftime. Athleta entered the break with a 64-32 lead.

The third quarter was more of the same, as Amoato and Matthews kept piling on the points. Amoato’s dominance under the rim saw him reach 26 points, while Matthews remained efficient from both inside and outside the arc. Tigers BT relied on Jhun Jhun Lisondra and Hamparsoumian, who combined for consistent scoring, but they could not match Athleta’s firepower. By the end of the third, Athleta had stretched their lead to 94-44.

The final quarter was a continuation of Athleta’s dominance. James capped off a stellar performance with 30 points, showcasing his ability to finish in transition and in the paint. Matthews, who ended with 26 points, controlled the tempo throughout, while Garcia Cefai and Mirco Azzopardi chipped in with crucial buckets. Tigers BT managed a few late highlights through Hamparsoumian and Daniele Militello, but the deficit was insurmountable.